Top-ten greatest sporting comebacks of all time

With Sir Ben Ainslie inspiring Oracle Team USA to Wednesday night's remarkable
America's Cup victory Telegraph Sport has looked through the archives
to dig out 10 of the greatest sporting comebacks of all time.

Miracle at Medinah: the European Ryder Cup team clawed their way to the least likely victory in golf history in 2012Photo: GETTY IMAGES

The pivotal match in "Botham's Ashes", this still remains unmatched as the greatest sporting comeback with odds of 500-1 against England midway through England's second innings – so attractive that Australians Rod Marsh and Dennis Lillee couldn't resist a punt.

That was before Ian Botham struck 149 not out – assisted by Graham Dilley and Chris Old – and Bob Willis took eight for 43 to pull off an incredible win.

2. Liverpool, Champions League final, 2005

Having scraped through to the knockout stages and progressed to the final Liverpool were down and out with AC Milan going into half-time 3-0 up in the final.

But there was mischief in the air that night and Liverpool roared back to score three times in six minutes to turn the game on its head before holding on to win on penalties.

3. Europe, Ryder Cup, 2012

The Miracle at Medinah saw Europe match the record fightback achieved by Ben Crenshaw's 1999 US team in Boston when they overhauled a four-point deficit.

Beginning the final day's play 10-6 down, Europe won eight and tied one of the 12 singles matches with Martin Kaymer defeating Steve Stricker to take the score to 13–14 and allow Europe to retain the cup with one match still in progress.

4. Charlton Athletic v Huddersfield Town, Second Division, 1957

December 21, 1957 and hapless Charlton were reduced to 10 men by injury after 15 minutes before falling 5-1 behind with just 28 minutes remaining.

Incredibly five goals from Johnny Summers saw the score leveled at 6-6 before John Ryan poached the winner with the last kick.

5. Red Rum, Grand National, 1973

The day Red Rum made his name, coming from 30 lengths behind to beat Crisp, who was one of the classiest horses ever seen at Aintree.

Ginger McCain's Grand National legend was carrying 24lb less than favourite Crisp that day and managed to pip the top-weight on the line in agonising fashion.

6. France v New Zealand, Rugby World Cup semi-final, 1999

With pre-tournament favourites New Zealand leading 24-10 early in the second half, courtesy of two tries from powerhouse Jonah Lomu, the All Blacks looked certain to make it through to the final.

What followed was a masterclass from Christophe Lamaison - who ended the match with 28 points, including a try, two drop-goals and two penalties - as France closed the gap to 24-22 before going on to win 43-31.

The power of the commentator's curse can never be understimated and from that moment onwards United started playing out of their skins to overhaul Newcastle's seemingly impregnable 12-point lead to claim the Premiership title.

9. Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls, 1995

Michael Jordan made the decision to retire and come back on two occasions but it was the first comeback that wrote his name large in American sport.

He quit the Chicago Bulls in 1993 to play baseball but was persuaded back to the sport and produced his best ever basketball to lead them to the first of three successive NBA titles in 1995-96.

10. Nick Faldo, US Masters, 1996

Nick Faldo went into the final round trailing Greg Norman by six strokes and the golf world waited impatiently to acclaim the popular Australian.

Falso had other ideas and produced a flawless round of 67 to turn the tables and defeat Norman, who struggled horribly en route to a 78.